Canadian Bishops Speak Against Government Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Conversion Therapy) Saying "There is a real danger that Christian and other religious and ethical teaching...would be interpreted as criminal acts."
Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Bill C-6: “An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)”
Wednesday, October 7, 2020Today, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issues its response to Bill C-6: “An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)” which was reintroduced by the federal government on Thursday 1 October 2020.
In a statement on the proposed legislation, the Bishops of Canada emphasize that: “The Catholic Church, like many Canadians, is opposed to any form of coercive and manipulative activities because they do not respect the sacred dignity of the human person and the freedoms inherent with that dignity.” In so far as it seeks to outlaw coercive actions against individuals, the intention behind Bill C-6 is commendable. However, following consultations with professional associations, other faith groups, and legal experts, the Bishops note significant concern with the content of Bill C-6, especially its ambiguities, which they fear could render currently lawful actions as criminal offences.
These ambiguities include, for example, the absence of a provision for legitimate, differing viewpoints on human sexuality arising from religious beliefs, philosophical debate, or scientific and medical study; the lack of provision for conscientious dissent in such matters, including teaching or public presentations; or the possibility that conversations within families, including private conversations between parents and their children on matters of human sexuality, could be deemed public and subject to prosecution, thus restricting the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their religious and ethical convictions.
In their statement, the Bishops reiterate the Church’s firm rejection of every and any coercive action and they clearly affirm the perennial teaching regarding the inherent dignity of every human person. However, the need to uphold and respect human dignity as well as to protect freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression also means Bill C-6 should not be allowed to proceed in its current form.
In a statement on the proposed legislation, the Bishops of Canada emphasize that: “The Catholic Church, like many Canadians, is opposed to any form of coercive and manipulative activities because they do not respect the sacred dignity of the human person and the freedoms inherent with that dignity.” In so far as it seeks to outlaw coercive actions against individuals, the intention behind Bill C-6 is commendable. However, following consultations with professional associations, other faith groups, and legal experts, the Bishops note significant concern with the content of Bill C-6, especially its ambiguities, which they fear could render currently lawful actions as criminal offences.
These ambiguities include, for example, the absence of a provision for legitimate, differing viewpoints on human sexuality arising from religious beliefs, philosophical debate, or scientific and medical study; the lack of provision for conscientious dissent in such matters, including teaching or public presentations; or the possibility that conversations within families, including private conversations between parents and their children on matters of human sexuality, could be deemed public and subject to prosecution, thus restricting the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their religious and ethical convictions.
In their statement, the Bishops reiterate the Church’s firm rejection of every and any coercive action and they clearly affirm the perennial teaching regarding the inherent dignity of every human person. However, the need to uphold and respect human dignity as well as to protect freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression also means Bill C-6 should not be allowed to proceed in its current form.
SOURCE: CCCB.ca
Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Bill C-6: “An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)”
Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Bill C-6,
‘An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)’
The Catholic Church, like many Canadians, is opposed to all forms of coercive and manipulative activities because they do not respect the sacred dignity of the human person
and the freedoms inherent with that dignity. The protection of vulnerable Canadians from harmful acts is a necessary and important goal and one which the Bishops irrevocably support. However, upon careful reading of Bill C-6, after discussions with professional associations and other faith groups and in consultation with legal experts, it is apparent that
Bill C-6 has some serious lacunae and shortcomings in its present form. It is generic in its scope and ambiguous in its language, and thus its application could be overextended and
interpreted to include what are and should remain lawful activities. This is mainly because of its problematic definition of conversion therapy which reads: “a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity
to cisgender, or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.”1
Actions now lawful could be subject to the Criminal Code
In the Bill’s current form, a range of activity and well-intended actions, hitherto legitimate
and lawful, that are also beneficial goals in support of individuals, could become subject to
prosecution under the Criminal Code, despite the apparent claims to the contrary on the
website of the Department of Justice.2 Without attempting to provide an exhaustive list, the
following are among the serious concerns that need to be addressed through further
discussion, consultation and democratic debate:
• The Bill makes no provision for legitimate diversity concerning viewpoints on human
sexuality arising from religious beliefs, from philosophical debate, or from scientific
and medical study; nor does it make any provision for conscientious dissent related to
such matters in forums of teaching or public presentations.
1 On 1 October 2020, the Federal Government tabled Bill C-6, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion
therapy). This Bill is identical to Bill C-8 that was introduced 9 March 2020 and which the Canadian Conference of
Catholic Bishops (CCCB) had already studied carefully. Bill C-6 goes on to state that the definition does not include
“a practice, treatment or service that relates (a) to a person’s gender transition; or (b) to a person’s exploration of
their identity or to its development.”
2 These claims are also often repeated by media. For example, while not included in the wording of the Bill, the
Department of Justice states in its news release on the legislation, Federal Government reintroduces legislation to
criminalize conversion therapy-related conduct in Canada: “These new offences would not apply to those who
provide support to persons questioning their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity (such as teachers,
school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family
members).”
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/09/federal-government-reintroduces-legislation-tocriminalize-conversion-therapy-related-conduct-in-canada.html
- 2 -
• There is the possibility that within families, private conversations between parents
and their children on matters of human sexuality will be deemed public and subject to
criminal prosecution – which in turn raises serious questions regarding the legitimacy
of government surveillance, professional confidentiality, and infringement of privacy.
As principal educators of their children, parents have a right to raise them in accordance with their legitimate and ethical religious beliefs. Any state intervention should not override the primary parental right to care for their children and make
decisions for their well-being.
• There is a real danger that Christian and other religious and ethical teaching with
respect to human sexuality would be interpreted as criminal acts.
• The Bill could even criminalize Catholic ministries and groups, religious leaders, or
pastors who encourage individuals with same-sex attraction to live chastely and in
conformity with the teachings of the Gospel, the moral principles of the Catholic
Church, and the dictates of their own conscience.
• The Bill’s current wording can also be interpreted as compelling competent
professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, other medical practitioners and
social workers to withhold legitimate services and, as a corollary, prevent their
patients or clients from accessing necessary medical treatment. For example, transgender persons who freely wish to de-transition could be unable to access the
necessary professional assistance to explore this option. Similarly, medical
practitioners could be inhibited from advocating a prudent and professionally
supported approach towards young children with gender dysphoria.
• The Bill would appear to set arbitrary restrictions on available treatment options in a
clinical setting as per the ambiguous wording found therein: “repress or reduce nonheterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour”.
• The Bill, drafted broadly in its current form and wording, would infringe on the
jurisdiction of provincial regulatory Colleges with respect to what constitutes
appropriate medical or psychological treatment.
• Bill C-6’s prohibition of any “treatment . . . to . . . reduce non-heterosexual attraction
or sexual behaviour” could potentially have serious consequences for the ongoing
efforts in clinical counselling to address various forms of destructive sexual
behaviour.
The problematic lack of clarity between government assurances and the Bill’s wording
The Department of Justice website appears to envision a somewhat narrower application of
this proposed law.3 The official news release states: “These new offences would not apply to
those who provide support to persons questioning their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or
gender identity (such as teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders,
doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members).” It remains ambiguous and
3 News release, 1 October 2020, Federal Government reintroduces legislation to criminalize conversion therapyrelated conduct in Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/09/federal-government-reintroduces-legislation-tocriminalize-conversion-therapy-related-conduct-in-canada.html
- 3 -
unclear as to whether the kind of “support” invoked in the news release would even allow for
the moral teachings of the Catholic Church to be presented as an alternative moral approach
and vision of the human person and human sexuality. However, if the intent of the Bill is not
to restrict such teachings from being presented by whomever, including parents, then this
protection is absent from the Bill’s wording.
Bill C-6 contains broad and overreaching language with no explicit exceptions that would
protect freedom of conscience, religion, or expression as guaranteed by section 2 of the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There remains, then, a wide and very disconcerting
ambiguity and a lack of clarity and transparency between the explanation of the Bill’s
apparent scope in the Department of Justice’s official news release and what lawful activity
might become prosecutable in a criminal court based on the actual and ambiguous wording
of the Bill if it passes into law.
Threats to freedom of religion and conscience, to the rights of the family and to society
From a Catholic perspective and its teaching on religious freedom, every person is to “be
immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human
power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs,
whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due
limits.”
4 Thus regarding “conversion therapy”, the Catholic Bishops of Canada are opposed
to any coercive behaviour which seeks to manipulate or endanger the free will of the human
person. Only in freedom can a person choose to love or to enter into a life-changing
relationship with God or with others, in meaningful and authentically human ways that
respects the inherent dignity of the human person. The Catholic Bishops are deeply saddened
that individuals have suffered at the hands of any groups or communities that have
undertaken actions which undermined the free-will of the human person. It is the desire of
the Church to accompany, guide and walk with all persons and to offer them pathways of
healing which are respectful of their conscience, faith and religious beliefs.
In that same spirit of serving humanity and inspired by the leadership and the teaching office
of Pope Francis, the CCCB also wishes to note, clearly and respectfully, the complexities and
the dangers of current ideologies and practices which it deems disrespectful and harmful to
individuals, families and communities. At the same time, we acknowledge the societal
benefits that come with human sexuality being lived and expressed in a responsible, ethical
and integral manner. In the Pope’s own words:
Yet another challenge is posed by the various forms of an ideology of gender
that ‘denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman
and envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the
4 Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae, Declaration on Religious Freedom -- On the Right of the Person and
of Communities to Social and Civil Freedom in Matters Religious, no. 22,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatishumanae_en.html
- 4 -
anthropological basis of the family. This ideology leads to educational
programs and legislative enactments that promote a personal identity and
emotional intimacy radically separated from the biological difference between
male and female. Consequently, human identity becomes the choice of the
individual, one which can also change over time.’ It is a source of concern
that some ideologies of this sort, which seek to respond to what are at times
understandable aspirations, manage to assert themselves as absolute and
unquestionable, even dictating how children should be raised.5
In outlining some of the serious problems presented by the wording of Bill C-6, we believe it
is of the utmost importance that the Government re-examine the Bill with a view to assuring
that the appropriate and indeed necessary amendments be considered and undertaken. This
ought to be done in a spirit of true dialogue with faith communities, as well as with a broad
range of healthcare professionals, social workers and legal experts across the country. We
conclude by reiterating the commendable purpose of the Bill in as much as it intends to
prohibit coercive actions against the inherent dignity of any person; however, the lacunae,
ambiguities in language and the potential overreach in its application to current lawful
activities are regrettably present and thus need to be addressed.
In this statement, the Catholic Church, in truth and charity, remains open to dialogue with all
members of society and desires to advance the fulfilment of every human person and the
common good for all people in our country.
7 October 2020
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Canada.
5 Pope Francis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, On Love in the Family, no. 56,
http://www.vatican.va/content/dam/francesco/pdf/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazioneap_20160319_amoris-laetitia_en.pdf
Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Bill C-6: “An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)”
Statement by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Bill C-6,
‘An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)’
The Catholic Church, like many Canadians, is opposed to all forms of coercive and manipulative activities because they do not respect the sacred dignity of the human person
and the freedoms inherent with that dignity. The protection of vulnerable Canadians from harmful acts is a necessary and important goal and one which the Bishops irrevocably support. However, upon careful reading of Bill C-6, after discussions with professional associations and other faith groups and in consultation with legal experts, it is apparent that
Bill C-6 has some serious lacunae and shortcomings in its present form. It is generic in its scope and ambiguous in its language, and thus its application could be overextended and
interpreted to include what are and should remain lawful activities. This is mainly because of its problematic definition of conversion therapy which reads: “a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity
to cisgender, or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.”1
Actions now lawful could be subject to the Criminal Code
In the Bill’s current form, a range of activity and well-intended actions, hitherto legitimate
and lawful, that are also beneficial goals in support of individuals, could become subject to
prosecution under the Criminal Code, despite the apparent claims to the contrary on the
website of the Department of Justice.2 Without attempting to provide an exhaustive list, the
following are among the serious concerns that need to be addressed through further
discussion, consultation and democratic debate:
• The Bill makes no provision for legitimate diversity concerning viewpoints on human
sexuality arising from religious beliefs, from philosophical debate, or from scientific
and medical study; nor does it make any provision for conscientious dissent related to
such matters in forums of teaching or public presentations.
1 On 1 October 2020, the Federal Government tabled Bill C-6, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (conversion
therapy). This Bill is identical to Bill C-8 that was introduced 9 March 2020 and which the Canadian Conference of
Catholic Bishops (CCCB) had already studied carefully. Bill C-6 goes on to state that the definition does not include
“a practice, treatment or service that relates (a) to a person’s gender transition; or (b) to a person’s exploration of
their identity or to its development.”
2 These claims are also often repeated by media. For example, while not included in the wording of the Bill, the
Department of Justice states in its news release on the legislation, Federal Government reintroduces legislation to
criminalize conversion therapy-related conduct in Canada: “These new offences would not apply to those who
provide support to persons questioning their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity (such as teachers,
school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders, doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family
members).”
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/09/federal-government-reintroduces-legislation-tocriminalize-conversion-therapy-related-conduct-in-canada.html
- 2 -
• There is the possibility that within families, private conversations between parents
and their children on matters of human sexuality will be deemed public and subject to
criminal prosecution – which in turn raises serious questions regarding the legitimacy
of government surveillance, professional confidentiality, and infringement of privacy.
As principal educators of their children, parents have a right to raise them in accordance with their legitimate and ethical religious beliefs. Any state intervention should not override the primary parental right to care for their children and make
decisions for their well-being.
• There is a real danger that Christian and other religious and ethical teaching with
respect to human sexuality would be interpreted as criminal acts.
• The Bill could even criminalize Catholic ministries and groups, religious leaders, or
pastors who encourage individuals with same-sex attraction to live chastely and in
conformity with the teachings of the Gospel, the moral principles of the Catholic
Church, and the dictates of their own conscience.
• The Bill’s current wording can also be interpreted as compelling competent
professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, other medical practitioners and
social workers to withhold legitimate services and, as a corollary, prevent their
patients or clients from accessing necessary medical treatment. For example, transgender persons who freely wish to de-transition could be unable to access the
necessary professional assistance to explore this option. Similarly, medical
practitioners could be inhibited from advocating a prudent and professionally
supported approach towards young children with gender dysphoria.
• The Bill would appear to set arbitrary restrictions on available treatment options in a
clinical setting as per the ambiguous wording found therein: “repress or reduce nonheterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour”.
• The Bill, drafted broadly in its current form and wording, would infringe on the
jurisdiction of provincial regulatory Colleges with respect to what constitutes
appropriate medical or psychological treatment.
• Bill C-6’s prohibition of any “treatment . . . to . . . reduce non-heterosexual attraction
or sexual behaviour” could potentially have serious consequences for the ongoing
efforts in clinical counselling to address various forms of destructive sexual
behaviour.
The problematic lack of clarity between government assurances and the Bill’s wording
The Department of Justice website appears to envision a somewhat narrower application of
this proposed law.3 The official news release states: “These new offences would not apply to
those who provide support to persons questioning their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or
gender identity (such as teachers, school counsellors, pastoral counsellors, faith leaders,
doctors, mental health professionals, friends or family members).” It remains ambiguous and
3 News release, 1 October 2020, Federal Government reintroduces legislation to criminalize conversion therapyrelated conduct in Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/09/federal-government-reintroduces-legislation-tocriminalize-conversion-therapy-related-conduct-in-canada.html
- 3 -
unclear as to whether the kind of “support” invoked in the news release would even allow for
the moral teachings of the Catholic Church to be presented as an alternative moral approach
and vision of the human person and human sexuality. However, if the intent of the Bill is not
to restrict such teachings from being presented by whomever, including parents, then this
protection is absent from the Bill’s wording.
Bill C-6 contains broad and overreaching language with no explicit exceptions that would
protect freedom of conscience, religion, or expression as guaranteed by section 2 of the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There remains, then, a wide and very disconcerting
ambiguity and a lack of clarity and transparency between the explanation of the Bill’s
apparent scope in the Department of Justice’s official news release and what lawful activity
might become prosecutable in a criminal court based on the actual and ambiguous wording
of the Bill if it passes into law.
Threats to freedom of religion and conscience, to the rights of the family and to society
From a Catholic perspective and its teaching on religious freedom, every person is to “be
immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human
power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs,
whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due
limits.”
4 Thus regarding “conversion therapy”, the Catholic Bishops of Canada are opposed
to any coercive behaviour which seeks to manipulate or endanger the free will of the human
person. Only in freedom can a person choose to love or to enter into a life-changing
relationship with God or with others, in meaningful and authentically human ways that
respects the inherent dignity of the human person. The Catholic Bishops are deeply saddened
that individuals have suffered at the hands of any groups or communities that have
undertaken actions which undermined the free-will of the human person. It is the desire of
the Church to accompany, guide and walk with all persons and to offer them pathways of
healing which are respectful of their conscience, faith and religious beliefs.
In that same spirit of serving humanity and inspired by the leadership and the teaching office
of Pope Francis, the CCCB also wishes to note, clearly and respectfully, the complexities and
the dangers of current ideologies and practices which it deems disrespectful and harmful to
individuals, families and communities. At the same time, we acknowledge the societal
benefits that come with human sexuality being lived and expressed in a responsible, ethical
and integral manner. In the Pope’s own words:
Yet another challenge is posed by the various forms of an ideology of gender
that ‘denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman
and envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the
4 Second Vatican Council, Dignitatis Humanae, Declaration on Religious Freedom -- On the Right of the Person and
of Communities to Social and Civil Freedom in Matters Religious, no. 22,
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatishumanae_en.html
- 4 -
anthropological basis of the family. This ideology leads to educational
programs and legislative enactments that promote a personal identity and
emotional intimacy radically separated from the biological difference between
male and female. Consequently, human identity becomes the choice of the
individual, one which can also change over time.’ It is a source of concern
that some ideologies of this sort, which seek to respond to what are at times
understandable aspirations, manage to assert themselves as absolute and
unquestionable, even dictating how children should be raised.5
In outlining some of the serious problems presented by the wording of Bill C-6, we believe it
is of the utmost importance that the Government re-examine the Bill with a view to assuring
that the appropriate and indeed necessary amendments be considered and undertaken. This
ought to be done in a spirit of true dialogue with faith communities, as well as with a broad
range of healthcare professionals, social workers and legal experts across the country. We
conclude by reiterating the commendable purpose of the Bill in as much as it intends to
prohibit coercive actions against the inherent dignity of any person; however, the lacunae,
ambiguities in language and the potential overreach in its application to current lawful
activities are regrettably present and thus need to be addressed.
In this statement, the Catholic Church, in truth and charity, remains open to dialogue with all
members of society and desires to advance the fulfilment of every human person and the
common good for all people in our country.
7 October 2020
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Canada.
5 Pope Francis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, On Love in the Family, no. 56,
http://www.vatican.va/content/dam/francesco/pdf/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazioneap_20160319_amoris-laetitia_en.pdf
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